Mesothelioma Lawyers Utah

According to the Environmental Working Group, at least 155 people died from asbestos exposure in Utah from 1979 to 2001. These deaths primarily centered in Salt Lake County and covered the metropolitan area of Salt Lake City.

If you or someone you love has mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) due to asbestos exposure while working in Utah, attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help. Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can guide you through the complicated mesothelioma legal process. We are mesothelioma lawyers with over 30 years of success and have recovered millions of dollars in settlement compensation for mesothelioma patients and their families. Our attorneys provide a free mesothelioma case evaluation, and there is no up front cost to you for our services.

Asbestos Exposure in Utah

Utah has few heavy industries, since its economy is primarily based on cattle ranching, mining and tourism. Utah does have several oil refineries and power plants, industries that historically relied on asbestos to fire proof and heat proof their facilities. Utah has many historical landmarks and older buildings as well. Most buildings constructed prior to 1980 incorporated asbestos-containing materials for insulation and fire prevention. Before its dangers were widely known, asbestos was commonly used in shingles, flooring, pipefittings and even HVAC systems. 

Oil refinery workers in Utah were at high risk of asbestos exposure, prior to the 1980’s. The oil refining process involves high amounts of heat and chemicals, and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) have been used in oil refineries since the industry got its start in the mid-19th century. Asbestos-containing materials were used in oil refineries to insulate many pieces of equipment that operated at hot temperatures, including: furnaces, tanks, boilers, ovens, heat exchangers and pumps. Workers who repaired and maintained this equipment were especially prone to asbestos fiber inhalation. Oil refinery workers sometimes wore protective gear, including aprons, gloves, overcoats and hoods, made from asbestos fibers to shield them from heat-creating elements. When these materials tore or ripped, workers came into direct contact with dangerous asbestos fibers. When asbestos is inhaled or ingested, the thin fibers that make up this mineral can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.

Oil refineries in Utah include:

• American Oil
• BP Amoco
• Chevron
• Flying J
• Inland Refining
• Phillips Petroleum
• Standard Oil Refinery

Because even the smallest fire at a power plant can be a disaster, asbestos was heavily used in power stations in Utah and across the United States because of its ability to resist heat and flame. Asbestos insulated boilers, generators, turbines and other machinery. It was also used in wires and electrical panels. When power plant equipment or facilities were repaired, dangerous asbestos fibers were released into the air. Utility and maintenance workers in these facilities were particularly vulnerable, since they were more likely to come into close contact with asbestos.

Another source of asbestos exposure in Utah was vermiculite processing. From 1940 – 1990, asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mined in Libby, Montana was shipped to processing plants throughout the United States. According to the Environmental Working Group, at least 920 shipments, representing more than 50,000 tons of vermiculite, was shipped from Libby to two cities in Utah, including Salt Lake City and Richfield. The vermiculite was made into attic insulation and sold for construction projects around the state and across the country, placing many people at risk of asbestos exposure. As a result of their negligence, eight executives of W.R. Grace & Company, the owner of the Libby, Montana mine, were indicted on criminal charges for conspiracy and violations of the Clean Air Act.

A large number of older and historic buildings are located in Utah.  Until the 1980's, asbestos was commonly used for building insulation, roofing materials, floor tiles and millboard.  Construction workers, even today, can be exposed to asbestos while demolishing and renovating older buildings, unless proper precautions are taken.  Safety procedures, such as dampening asbestos-containing materials, wearing disposable protective clothing and avoiding the use of power tools, need to be followed when working with older buildings.

Our Attorneys Can Help Victims of Mesothelioma in Utah

If you or a member of your family has been affected by asbestos cancer in Utah or any state in the U.S., contact Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason. Whether your asbestos exposure was due to working at a contaminated jobsite or because you used asbestos-containing products, our mesothelioma attorneys will give you sound, legal advice. We have over thirty years of experience providing mesothelioma legal representation to clients across the United States. We offer a free case evaluation and can fly to Utah to meet with you in person.

If you are in need of mesothelioma medical information or treatment, visit our list of Utah mesothelioma treatment centers. Mesothelioma attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are here to help.

Call attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason for a free consultation.